All Black Birthday Party Ideas

The right theme will make an all-black birthday party a success. Traditionally, birthdays are marked with colorful hats, decorations and party favors. Choosing black as the color of choice is a bold and out-of-the-box move. When choosing this theme, carefully consider the age of the birthday guest of honor. Black for a very young child or an elderly person might be construed as offensive, weird or just plain morbid.

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Black Formal

Black-tie events are typically formal occasions where men sport black tuxedos or suits and ladies wear cocktail or party dresses. For an all-black birthday party, plan such an occasion. However, request that all guests come dressed completely in black attire. That includes black shirts under tuxedos or suits. Ladies should wear only all-black dresses or suits. Decorate the chosen location with black tablecloths and serve dishes such as blackened chicken, black beans and caviar. Hire a band or disc jockey to play as many songs as possible with the word "black" in the title. Formal events do not have to be somber. Keep the atmosphere lively with games and dancing.

Death Comes Knocking

Black is typically related to death and mourning. You can do a play on this for a gag birthday party, maybe for someone who is turning 40. One idea is to incorporate the Grim Reaper, a creature shroud in black that comes for the near-dead to take them to the "other side," into your all-black party. Ask one or more guests to dress as the Grim Reaper for the occasion. The rest of the guests should wear attire appropriate for a funeral or memorial service, including veils for the ladies. Drape tables and chairs with black cloth and play organ music in the background. Black roses make an appropriate centerpiece. Prepare a eulogy for the birthday guest of honor that a good friend or relative can present prior to serving dark chocolate cake decorated with black licorice.

Gothic Fun

The modern Gothic culture revolves around the color black. From black clothing and hair to black decor, the color is prevalent in all facets of this subset of society. For an all-black Goth party include black candles placed in black holders to provide light and create a dark mood. Cover the tables and chairs in black velvet. Request that guests dress in all-black Gothic costumes including black wigs and plenty of black eyeliner. Dye the punch or wine black with food coloring, and serve black foods such as dark chocolates.

Scary Stuff

If your older child wants to have an all-black birthday party, it can be lots of fun -- especially if his birthday is near Halloween. On the invitations, requests that all the guests wear black, scary costumes. You'll likely have a party filled with Count Draculas, witches and zombies. Feed them lots of dark chocolate candies and cake. You can keep the lights down and use black lights to create some scary images on the walls or hanging from the ceiling. For some fun drinks that fit the scary theme, add a little tonic water to the juice or soda because tonic water contains quinine, a chemical that glows under a black light.